Knitting and quilting and sheep

I've been working on a couple of things.  As we currently have our grandson living with us (22 months), some things just don't happen - in fact, most things don't happen.  There has been very little knitting, spinning or quilting going on.

I have started one knitting project, though - the Perimetera shawl, by Gina House.  I am doing this in a dark gray lace weight  yarn called "Nimbus" by Jill Draper Makes Stuff.  This was purchased at a Knitting Lab (convention) shopping trip in Manchester (NH) a couple of years ago.  I had started something else with it, but changed my mind.  I've gotten a good start on the shawl so far.  It's a square, and has a center start.  Got that, I've got a handle on the increases, and am just trying to work a round or two when I can.  It will go much faster once I can get it off double pointed needles and on to circulars.

I'm trying to work on some quilt pieces.  I have been watching and following along some of the fussy-cutting quilt-alongs on the Temecula Quilt Company blog.  Right now I'm pulling fabrics and cutting sets of six jewel-shapes for the "Little Gems" paper-pieced units.   I'd also like to do a paper-pieced tumbling blocks type quilt.  I found a photo I like, with paper-pieced tumbling blocks joined with white six-pointed stars.  I really like the look.  (Photo is here.)

All of the goat babies have been sold, except Picasso, who is staying.  The sheep herd, however, has increased by two - Jacob ewes passed on to me by a friend.  They are doing a great job keeping the back yard mowed.  They are Talullah (left) and Daisy (right).  Daisy has 3 horns, and lighter wool.  I love spinning Jacob wool, and was very happy to give these two a home!